According to Reuters, Ukrainian President Zelensky pointed out on the 22nd that Ukraine found Chinese citizens working at a drone production base in Russia, and hinted that Moscow may have "stolen" China's drone technology.
At a press conference held in Kiev on the 22nd, Zelensky pointed out that Russia may have obtained China's drone technology without Beijing's knowledge. For example, Russia may have bypassed the Chinese government and reached certain agreements with these Chinese citizens in private.
He explained that intelligence obtained by Ukraine showed that the relevant information specifically described these Chinese technologies used to manufacture drones. "I think Beijing should seriously study how their partners cooperate with them."
He further stated that he has asked the Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service and the Ukrainian Foreign Minister to convey relevant information and intelligence to Beijing through their respective channels, and will also try to send relevant information directly to Beijing.
Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, China has been trying to emphasize its neutral position, and Zelensky has been maintaining superficial harmony with China. Since April, Zelensky has repeatedly presented different evidence to prove that China has assisted the Russian army in many ways.
On April 9, Zelensky pointed out that Ukraine has obtained the surnames and passport information of 155 Chinese mercenaries recruited by Russia through social platforms, and confirmed that the Chinese government is aware of Russia's recruitment of Chinese soldiers.
On April 11, Ukraine arranged for two Chinese citizens who had fought for the Russian army on the Russo-Ukrainian front and were later captured by Ukrainian forces to attend a press conference. The two soldiers stated that they were deceived by false promises and online recruitment advertisements and mistakenly entered the battlefield. They also publicly condemned Moscow's use of foreigners to support its military operations.
On April 17, he publicly stated for the first time that Ukrainian intelligence confirmed that China had provided weapons and ammunition to Russia. However, Beijing strongly denied many of Zelensky's accusations.
China has been Russia's close political and economic ally for many years, and NATO member states have called China the "decisive driver" of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Outside observers interpreted Zelensky's latest statement as an attempt to soften his tough stance on China since April.
